THE LANIER ALL CLASS REUNION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2007

Opening:

The first official meeting of the Lanier All Class Reunion Executive Committee was called to order at 5:06 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2007, Jackson Medical Mall by Lee Bernard, Jr., President.

Members Present:

*Bobby Armstrong, President, Lanier National Alumni Association

Lee A. Bernard, Jr., President, The Lanier All Class Reunion Executive Committee

Alvin Thomas, Vice President

Catherine McCoy-Harris, Secretary

Arlinda Austin, Assistant Secretary

Lorenda Cheeks, Treasurer

Reverend Ricky Douglas, Chaplain

Sub-Committee Members Present:

            Search and Find Committee:  Alvanette Thomas, Chair

            Program Committee:  Ruthie Foster Bilal, Chair

And Sharon Dees-Bracey-Co-Chair

Facilities Committee: Leroy Lee, Co-Chair and Gregory Body, Co-Chair Assistant

            Souvenir Committee:  Deborah Terrell, Chair

Absent Members:

Laura Alford-Windfield, Assistant Treasurer, The Lanier All Class Reunion Executive Committee

Maggie Benson White, Chair, Facilities Committee

Linda Johnson, Souvenir Co-Chair

Agenda

Prayer - Reverend Ricky Douglas, Chaplain

Opening Remarks - Lee A. Bernard, Jr., President

Discussion of Purpose

Duties of Committees/Due Dates/Etc.

Search & Find, Program, Facilities and Souvenir Committees

Meeting was opened by Lee Bernard, Jr., President and Prayer by Reverend Ricky Douglas, Chaplain.

The agenda was unanimously approved and the President started the meeting with the following:

-  All committee members were introduced

-  Lee Bernard, Jr. began the meeting with the discussion of the “Purpose”:

1. To respond to issues aired on the Tom Brokaw’s documentary (Separate and Unequal-July 2006)…by creatively addressing those affecting Lanier High School Students and the Georgetown Community.

2.  To honor Mr. Luther B. Buckley as the longest serving principal in the history of Lanier

3. To plan an All Class Reunion Event-Fellowship (August 2008)

4. To invite a motivational speaker(Lanier graduate) to The Lanier All Class Reunion Banquet who will impress upon the Alumni the importance of striving to bring dignity, respect, community participation and a reputation of greatness back to Lanier…and the Georgetown Community.

Mr. President indulged us with this challenge:–In order to make this All Class Reunion 2008 successful, what can we do to restore Lanier to its former greatness?  (Give some thought and suggestions).

Discussion of Business Account:

First, a Federal ID tax number has to be secured; a yahoo group site needs to be established; also, a separate web site should be secured for the committee members.  This internet service will allow the committee’s communication to flow via e-mail messaging.  Also, a letterhead design needs to be created (we are taking suggestions).

Next topic for discussion: Mr. President identified each category by addressing each Committee member regarding their responsibilities.

Search & Find Committee–Chair Alvanette Thomas, locating members of each class for the construction of a mailing list thru advertising, which includes newspapers, TV, radio, etc…

Program Committee-Ruthie Foster-Bilal Chair and Sharon Dees-Bracey, Co-Chair; will be responsible for planning a week-end of festivities, fellowship & renew old friendships; plan program for Banquet/Dance, Saturday Bar-B-Que and Sunday Church services.  Also, Tom Brokaw should be invited.

Mrs. Sharon Dees-Bracey shared with the committee suggestions of key-note speakers such as, Mary Evans Sykes, College President (Kentucky); Lerone Bennett Jr., Author; Miami Lott, College President and Randall Pinkston just to name a few of the Lanier graduates.

Bobby Armstrong also has several names such as, Maxine Hayes, Hospital Administrator in Seattle Washington, Daryl Jones, Senator-Florida and Bishop Ronnie Crudup of Jackson, MS.

Facilities Committee-Leroy Lee and Gregory Body, Co-Chairs; this committee will be responsible for searching locations (possibly Lanier for all events) slated for the 1^st or 2^nd weekend in August 2008.  Another suggestion was the Jackson Medical Mall.  However, it was stated by the president that the mall could only be used by Jackson State University and Tougaloo College; but he would check with the Medical Mall to see if perhaps an event such as the All Class Reunion could possibly have a chance to use the facility.  A recommended cost per person based on at least 1,000 people attending (Possibility to include spouses and children for certain events)

Souvenir Committee-Deborah Terrell, Chair; this committee will be responsible for making this a memorable week-end with souvenirs and gifts.  Some suggestions were the history of Lanier, videos etc.

The President shared with us the Lanier Chronicle which was given at the graduation which he had a niece and nephew graduating this year.  He also shared with us a souvenir booklet from the Georgetown Festivities which is sponsored by Landon Stokes each year.  The funds that are raised are allocated for materials and supplies for the students as needed.  The President stated that maybe we can meet with London Stokes and get some ideas from his project. We should look at identifying sponsors to assist in sponsoring parts of the event.

(Budget)

Mrs. Lorenda Cheeks will proceed with obtaining a Tax ID Number for the “All Class Reunion”.  The mail box has been acquired for one year at the cost of $70.00.  At the first meeting of the All Class Executive Committee, a total of $72.50 was collected with a beginning balance of $2.50.  Once the ACR Executive Committee starts generating funds a bank account will be opened.  As stated by the President, we do not have a 501 (c) 3 status but our Class Reunion may be able to operate come under the National Alumni Association.

Also, Mr. President stated that our first meeting which was held in the Jackson Medical Mall Community Room cost was $100.00 which was paid for.  The President has the receipt for future re-imbursement.

Gregory Body (who is computer literate) and Leroy Lee will set-up the administration group page for the Lanier All Class Reunion account (including e-mail to communicate with all class members).

Other:

Sharon Dees-Bracey expressed the importance of contacting Mr. Buckley for availability for the 1^st or 2^nd week of August 2008 in reference to the Lanier All Class Reunion.  Mr. President will take responsibility to meet with Mr. Buckley regarding the present date.

Also, Sharon stated that she was good with fund raising and she would be available to work with that project.

It was agreed, the Lanier All Class Reunion Executive Committee will meet once a month, every 2^nd Sunday, Jackson Medical Mall, 5:00 p.m. until further notice.  Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.

Accountability is very important per Lee Bernard, Jr. President.  If a task has been given and it seems as if you can not get it done, please let the President of the committee know in advance so that it can be handled.

Meeting Adjourned:

With no other business, meeting was adjourned with a closing prayer by Reverend Ricky Douglas.

Minutes Recorded by:

Catherine McCoy-Harris, Secretary

Lanier All Class Reunion Executive Committee